Artist Spotlight: Over Ashes

By Freddie Parks Jr.
 
What drives your music selection? When you go into your favorite Christian music store or even into a chain department store with money in-hand anticipating walking out with a plastic wrapped beauty of a CD jewel case; just what is it you are looking for? Is it a worship album? How about something to help you kick start your day? Maybe you are looking for something that you can relate to as you pour your heart out in prayer.
 
The band Over Ashes (formally known as Cross Culture) delivers on all of the above. From sweet and soulful to down right rock your face off, Over Ashes has burst onto the scene with an anointed new album aptly named: “Begin Again“. Over Ashes brings a message of seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through the songs “All I Need” and “Where I Want to be“. The soulful and heart-felt lyrics take us to the deep parts of ourselves; exposing our flaws and our need for the strength that only comes through Jesus Christ. As we listen, the walls we’ve tried so hard to build up come tumbling down, revealing that inside we are simply in need of our Heavenly Father’s embrace. Through songs such as “The Author” and “She won’t” we find encouragement as the band reminds us of who we can be in Christ.
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Book Review: Sushi for One?

By Michelle Sutton

Sushi for One? is a book written by Author Camy Tang.  It portrays life through the eyes of a character named Lex Sakai who has a lot of reasons to be angry.  And, those reasons came out often in her thoughts. As with most people who love God but are feeling hurt, the main character closed her heart off to prayer and fellowship in an effort to protect herself. As a result, she missed sensing God's safe touch on her life, though He never left her side.
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Artist Spotlight: Shawn Everette

By Andre Mullen

Baltimore, Maryland’s own Shawn Everette makes his recording debut with the impressive offering simply entitled Answers.  Released on his own imprint, Soul Levite Music, the album brings to the forefront a musical genre within urban gospel known as “Rhythm & Praise, otherwise known as R&P.  Shawn Everette uses this genre not only to promote but to enlighten the listener on the truth that God does provide answers for those that truly seek Him.
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Movie Review: The Moment After 2 (The Awakening)

By David Mackey

I had high hopes for The Awakening. Signal Hill Pictures is one of my favorite Christian film companies and has worked on a number of excellent, high-quality films such as Mercy Streets, The Visitation, and Thr3e. My favorite Christian actor, David A.R. White also plays a key lead role and took part in the production of the film, so this also raised my hopes. I was sadly disappointed.

The film starts out well-enough. The opening cinematography is beautiful and the music haunting. In fact, throughout the film the cinematography and music continue to hold out top notch, as everything else falls flat. Significant shots are taken throughout the film that stretch what had been previously done by Christian camera people, but this cannot make up for the film's other deficits.
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BarlowGirl

By Julie Cook Hess

Chicago is known for nurturing and giving birth to great musical talent. Among the many great bands that have sprung up from the Windy City are Chevelle, Smashing Pumpkins, and more recently Ok Go and Fall Out Boy. The three Barlow sisters Alyssa, Becca and Lauren are no exception to Chi-town’s musical magic. In 2005, they were able to reach a wider audience when one of their songs was offered as the iTunes free download of the week.  A lot has happened since then for talented three-some.

In this feature interview with the group, they open up about the struggles of being women in a male-dominated business, the positives of being in family band and their beloved hometown.

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